Carnitine is essential for mitochondrial energy production.
Disturbance in mitochondrial function may contribute to or
cause the fatigue seen in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
patients. One previous investigation has reported decreased
acylcarnitine levels in 38 CFS patients. We investigated 35
CFS patients (27 females and 8 males); our results indicate
that CFS patients have statistically significantly lower serum
total carnitine, free carnitine and acylcarnitine levels, not
only lower acylcarnitine levels as previously reported. We
also found a statistically significant correlation between
serum levels of total and free carnitine and clinical
symptomatology. Higher serum carnitine levels correlated with
better functional capacity. These findings may be indicative
of mitochondrial dysfunction, which may contribute to or cause
symptoms of fatigue in CFS patients.